If you own pets or have ever been around animals in Houston, you've dealt with ticks. You understand the hassle of getting your animal to hold still while you try to pull a tick out of their skin, or even worse, you've had to pull a tick out of your skin.
At All-Safe Pest & Termite, we are experts in Houston pest control and know that ticks are a problem in our area. We will work with you to develop quick and practical solutions to your tick problem, so you, your family, and your furry friends don't have to worry about these pests and the problems they can cause.
The Life Cycle Of Ticks: A Comprehensive Overview
The life cycle of a tick typically spans two to three years and includes four stages: egg, larva, nymph, and adult. Female ticks lay thousands of eggs on the ground, usually in leaf litter or vegetation. After a few weeks, the eggs hatch into tiny larval ticks. These larvae seek a host to feed on, such as small mammals or birds. Once the engorged tick larvae finish their meal, they drop to the ground and molt into nymphs.
Nymphs, larger and more active than larvae, seek another host for another blood meal. After feeding, they drop to the ground and molt into adult ticks. Adult ticks then seek larger hosts, such as deer or humans, for their final blood meal.
Mating occurs on the host, and females engorge themselves with blood before dropping to the ground to lay eggs and complete the life cycle.
Top Tick-Borne Diseases: Symptoms, Treatment, And Prevention
Ticks are small pests, but a tick bite can cause significant health problems. Here are some of the diseases caused by ticks, the symptoms they can cause, and how to treat them:
- Lyme Disease: Lyme disease symptoms include rash, fatigue, fever, headache, and muscle and joint aches. Depending on the stage, doctors will prescribe antibiotics, such as doxycycline, amoxicillin, or cefuroxime,
- Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF): Symptoms include high fever, rash, headache, muscle aches, and fatigue. Early treatment with antibiotics, such as doxycycline, is crucial to prevent complications.
- Ehrlichiosis: Ehrlichiosis is one of our area's most common tick-borne diseases. Fever, headache, fatigue, muscle aches, and confusion are common symptoms, typically treated with doxycycline.
- Anaplasmosis: Symptoms of anaplasmosis include fever, headache, muscle aches, chills, and fatigue, and antibiotics like doxycycline are commonly used to treat.
There are several different kinds of ticks in Houston, and if one has bitten you and you suspect a tick-borne illness, immediately see a doctor. Early detection is critical to the treatment and prevention of major health issues.
Tick Bite Prevention: Proactive Measures For Outdoor Activities
As scary as the health issues caused by a tick bite can be, you want to do everything you can to avoid one. Here are some tips on tick prevention you can implement while outside:
- Wear long sleeves and pants, and tuck your pants into your socks or boots.
- Use an EPA-approved insect repellent with DEET.
- Stay on designated paths while hiking.
- Regularly check for ticks while you are outside.
If you find a tick on yourself or someone else, remove it quickly to avoid any issues.
Expert Tick Control Services: Keeping Your Property Tick-Free
Ticks can be difficult to prevent because of how easily they travel on their hosts. While you can take steps to prevent ticks, like trimming vegetation, using stone barriers, and keeping your pet on veterinarian-recommended tick control, the best way to eliminate ticks from your Houston property is to partner with us for professional tick control.
Our trained pest control experts will work with you to develop a tick control plan for your Houston property, keeping you, your family, and your furry friends safe from ticks and the diseases they bring with them.